Archived decisions

REVIEW OF PRIMARY SCHOOL PROVISION IN THE NORTH WEST FARNBOROUGH AREA

1. The Executive Member has given authority to consult on changes to primary school provision in the North West area of Farnborough. Those consultations will include the area served by Pinewood Infant School, which experienced a serious fire in March 2003. Since then, that school has been operating from temporary buildings on its original site.

2. There are substantial numbers of surplus places at schools in the area: Manor Infant, Manor Junior, Guillemont Junior, Parsonage Farm Infant, Pinewood Infant and Southwood Infant. The total capacity of the schools taken together is 1521. Pupil numbers at present are 1329 and will reduce to 1206 by September 2008 which means an overall surplus of 192 places, rising to 315 in September 2008. That means a percentage of surplus places which will grow from 12.6% to 20.7%. At Pinewood Infant School, the number of pupils has fallen to 80 against a capacity of 180 and the surplus capacity is 100 (over 55%).

3. Quite apart from the excess provision of places in the area, there are local needs for early years provision and specialist resourced provision for language impaired children, which are both currently accommodated at Pinewood Infant School. Those facilities need to be maintained and, if possible, enhanced to meet demand, whether at Pinewood or at another suitable location. Consultations are therefore proceeding with the staff, governors, parents and local communities of the local primary schools, with a particular focus on the future of Pinewood Infant School, such consultations to encompass opportunities for early years development, special needs and other community needs for parents and children.

4. A detailed report on the outcome of consultations will come back for decision by the Executive Member for Education during the summer term. Any changes would then be the subject of statutory public notices and should objections be received, a formal report to the School Organisation Committee before any proposed reorganisation could be implemented.